May 28, 2013
England

Company plans to expand Cumbrian windfarm

By James Johnson | Times & Star | www.timesandstar.co.uk

A storm of protest is brewing against plans to expand a windfarm.

Each of the seven turbines being discussed for farmland near Wigton would be taller than Carlisle Civic Centre.

An energy firm is holding talks on Thursday about their proposals for the 334ft tall structures.

But environmental campaign group Friends of Rural Cumbria’s Environment (FORCE) is opposing the proposals for High Pow Farm, near Bolton Low Houses.

Ironically, that group was formed a decade ago to fight a plan to fight three turbines which were built there. It has since gone on to garner opposition to other turbine developments.

Group secretary Sarah Hemsley-Rose said: “We decided in the very early days that we wanted to also help others who found themselves in the same predicament and, over the years, we have tried to bring about changes which protect residents and the landscape from harmful developments of this kind.

“Ten years on the situation is still dire and part of Cumbria are swamped with turbines, but still we go on.

“We are presented with the prospect of a major extension to the very scheme were it all started for FORCE and we ask you to please show your support for us by attending the public exhibition for the development proposal.”

The turbines on the site now are each 320ft tall.

In a letter to Allerdale Council, the authority which would have to make a decision on any planning application, REG WIndpower development manager Matt Olley said: “We are currently considering the technical, economic and environmental potential of developing an extension scheme to the operational High Pow development.

“I am therefore pleased to request a scoping opinion for a wind turbine development from Allerdale Council.”

The application has received a number of objections from residents, as well as Boltons parish council.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 30 at Bolton Low Houses village hall.

There will also be an Allerdale Council development panel meeting today at 1pm at the Oval, Salterbeck, which will consider two turbine schemes.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/28/company-plans-to-expand-cumbrian-windfarm/